Got an unexplained toothache and a limited budget? Then you might want to drop by Dental Works in Gastonia for a free dental clinic Saturday morning.

Dentists, dental hygienists and dental assistants, all volunteering their time, will be available to clean and treat patients' teeth for free. But it’s first come, first served. So it pays to get there and get in line early, said Dr. Richard Dunning, with Dental Works in Gastonia.

The clinic will be the first in Gaston in three years. Dunning has participated in several similar events. He was at the last one in Gastonia nearly three years ago.

“Every time there’s one, we try to make sure we’re a part of it,” he said. “It just feels good to give back.”

But the event will be a little different this year. Since the larger clinic several years ago, money for the massive dental clinics put on by North Carolina Missions of Mercy have dried up, he said. The need has not. That’s why Dunning and the Gaston County Health Department decided to hold smaller clinics Friday and Saturday. Instead of being able to treat thousands, the mini-clinic organizers expect to treat around 100 to 200 patients throughout the day.

According to N.C. Missions of Mercy director Dr. Bill Blaylock, the new concept relies on private sector companies like Dental Works to keep going.

“This is an important collaborative effort by dental professionals in public and private practice to deliver care to those with severe dental needs and with little or no access to dental care,” he said.

Several other mini clinics will be held throughout the month of April in other areas of the state. Dunning urges only patients with serious dental issues to attend.

“We’ll do some cleanings, but we’re really focusing our attention on patients that are truly in need,” he said.

Want to go?

What: Mini MOM dental clinic

Where: Dental Works, 2924 E. Franklin Blvd., Suite 3, Gastonia

When: 7:30 a.m. until 5 p.m. Saturday

You can reach reporter Lauren Baheri at 704-869-1842 or Twitter.com/lbaheri.